Welcome to Tepoztlán
at a glance
Number of Orphanages: 3
Age Range of Children: 0-14
As a volunteer, you will be living in a volunteer housing unit with other semester abroad OSSO volunteers. This volunteer house will be on site at one of our orphanage locations we serve in, but will be separate from the orphanage housing units where the children live.
OSSO volunteers help fill in the role that orphaned children are often missing - parents, older siblings, mentors, and friends.
As a volunteer, your job is to help each child receive the individual love and attention they need to truly thrive. While this might seem like a big task, the volunteer service itself is typically very simple! The smallest actions often have the greatest impact on a child’s life - such as a smile, a hug, or even just remembering their name.
what's it like to volunteer in Tepoztlán
Volunteers in Tepoztlán will spend their days serving at the Tashirat orphanage, supporting children and young adults through both structured and informal activities. Each day is divided into two shifts—morning and afternoon—where volunteers may help with mealtimes, homework, reading, tutoring, playtime, and assisting with daily routines. Volunteers also build meaningful relationships through arts, games, and outdoor activities while offering encouragement and stability.
In addition to their regular service at Tashirat, volunteers will occasionally visit nearby orphanages to provide extra support and variety in care, giving them the opportunity to broaden their impact and connect with more children in the region.
Tashirat Casa Hogar
our primary Tepoztlán orphanage
Tashirat is a home-style orphanage located in the beautiful mountains of Tepoztlán, Mexico. Since 2003, we have provided high-quality care in a nurturing family environment for disabled girls, boys, and adolescents. The children at Tashirat have either been abandoned or removed from parental custody due to extreme abuse or neglect. Many spent years in government care because they were ineligible for adoption and had no biological family to support them.
At Tashirat, our focus is on providing a conscious upbringing and nurturing a sense of love, security, growth, and development. We believe every child deserves love and a sense of belonging, and that family is defined beyond biological ties. By embracing those without families, we create a larger, more inclusive community.
Ready to go? Apply now!
Available Start Dates
Cuenca
Short Term I Long Term I Family
OSSO supporters
OSSO is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization aligned with the principles, teachings, and values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; however, OSSO is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Church. While primarily a member-created organization, volunteer opportunities are open to people of all faiths who are willing to follow OSSO's code of conduct. Our Statement of Faith
Photos on this website are used with permission and follow Ecuador’s privacy policies for children in orphanages.
OSSO is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization aligned with the principles, teachings, and values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; however, OSSO is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Church. While primarily a member-created organization, volunteer opportunities are open to people of all faiths who are willing to follow OSSO's code of conduct.
Our Statement of Faith
Photos on this website are used with permission and follow Ecuador’s privacy policies for children in orphanages.